Standing With Jamaica: JAS's Response to Hurricane Melissa

When Hurricane Melissa swept through Jamaica, it left behind a trail of destruction that went far beyond damaged infrastructure. For families in the hardest-hit communities, the storm disrupted livelihoods, food security, and the quiet stability of everyday life. For those of us in Switzerland watching from afar, it was a call to act.

The Jamaica Association in Switzerland (JAS) has been responding since October last year, and we want to share what that effort has looked like.

Raising Funds, Raising Awareness

We launched a fundraising campaign in the weeks following the storm, mobilising our community here in Switzerland to contribute to Jamaica’s recovery. In parallel, we published a newsletter highlighting fundraising efforts by Jamaicans and friends in Switzerland. Our goal was not just to raise money but also to encourage the community to get involved with supporting recovery efforts.

A Partnership With WIPO

JAS welcomed the support received through the WIPO Staff Council. Their generosity has added meaningful weight to the collective effort, and the funds raised through that partnership will go directly toward livelihood projects in the areas most severely affected by the hurricane. These are long-term, practical initiatives designed to help families rebuild income and stability, not just recover in the short term.

Why Livelihoods Matter

Disaster recovery is often framed around physical rebuilding; roofs, roads, schools. But for many Jamaican families, particularly in rural communities, what was lost was the means to earn a living. A damaged fishing boat. A flooded farm plot. A market stall that never reopened. JAS’s focus on livelihood support reflects a belief that real recovery means people regaining the capacity to provide for themselves and their families.

You Can Still Help

Recovery takes time, and the need on the ground continues. If you would like to contribute, donations are still open. Visit our donation page at jamaicaswiss.ch/donation for full details. We accept bank transfers from anywhere in the world, and TWINT payments for those based in Switzerland.

Every contribution, large or small, goes towards supporting communities that are still finding their footing.

Thank You

None of this was possible without the JAS community. Every donation, every shared newsletter, every conversation that kept Hurricane Melissa visible long after the news cycle moved on, made a difference. We are grateful to everyone who responded with such generosity.

We will continue to provide updates as projects take shape on the ground. Jamaica is resilient. So is this community.